France is actively participating once again in the Raisina Dialogue, which is India’s primary conference covering geopolitics and geoeconomics. The French delegation for this year includes high-ranking military officials, such as France’s Chief of Naval Staff, and senior representatives from the Foreign Affairs Ministry, including the Ambassador for Digital Affairs, the Ambassador for the Poles and Maritime Issues, and the Head of the Policy Planning Centre. Additionally, members from the French Development Agency (Agence Française de Développement – AFD) are part of the delegation. They’re joined by top officials from the Foreign Affairs Ministry, including H.E. Mr Henri Verdier, who focuses on digital affairs, and H.E. Mr Olivier Poivre d’Arvor, who looks into issues related to the poles and maritime areas. The team also includes Mr Manuel Lafont Rapnouil, who plans important policies, and experts from the French Development Agency (AFD), like Mr Emmanuel Baudran and Ms Julie Marsaudon.
This delegation underlines France’s dedicated commitment to collaborating with India in finding solutions for global challenges, promoting multilateralism, and contributing to the establishment of a stable international order for a more unified and cohesive world. The extensive cooperation between France and India in the Indo-Pacific region, addressing various issues from maritime security to global commons and sustainable development, is evident through this diverse delegation.
Furthermore, the AFD, in partnership with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) as part of their joint initiative, the Sustainable Finance in the Indo-Pacific (SUFIP) Development Network, will jointly host a breakfast panel on the morning of February 23rd. This panel, titled “Desecuritising Development: Resilience in the Indo-Pacific,” will bring together experts from Papua New Guinea, the Perth USAsia Centre in Australia, Unison Capital in Japan, USAID, and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia.
In summary, France’s active involvement in the Raisina Dialogue showcases not only its commitment to collaboration with India but also its determination to address global challenges comprehensively. The participation of diverse experts and collaboration on sustainable finance initiatives emphasizes the depth and breadth of the partnership between France and India in fostering resilience and sustainable development in the Indo-Pacific region.